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REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA

Ljubljana

Austrian Laibach, Roman Emona

Ljubljana from the air

After a 6 hour train journey across the beautiful alpine lands of southern Austria and Slovenia (passing the cities of Maribor, the nation's 2nd largest city, and Celje, one of the oldest town in Slovenia), I reached the small capital of the Slovenes, Ljubljana. This is a small city of only about 250,000 people can easily be covered in, say, 1 day (or even half if you're really in a rush, for it only took 20 minutes to walk across the city's main thoroughfare, Slovenska cesta). I realised this as I asked the tourist office for directions to the cheapest hotel in the city central - the Hotel Park (which charged me DEM50 - the most expensive accommodation of my entire trip) and was told just to walk straight across the city, and "don't worry, nobody has ever lost his way in this city !)

The Ljubljana Castle
Ljubljana is a small and pleasant city. There are few tourists around and many people speak English. The most prominent landmarks of the city are a statue of Preseren, the national poet and patriot, and the Ljubljana Castle towering the city. The latter is still being rebuilt after its destruction during the Napoleonic Wars - as the new symbol of an independent state.

Click here to find out more about France Preseren, the Slovene national poet.

Me with the Winged dragon - Ljubljana's symbol

I enjoyed hanging around trg Presernov, the little square where the poet's statue stands and where musicians, couples, salesmen, flower stalls and what have you make this place the most cosy as well as lively part of the city. From the square, the tiny Copova ulica leads one to Slovenska cesta, Ljubljana's main thoroughfare formerly known as Titova cesta (after Josip Tito, the communist leader of old Yugoslavia), and the main post office (where I bought lots of beautiful Slovenian stamps).

One other interesting place is the Illyrian Monument, a pillar dedicated to Napoleon's Illyrian provinces based in Slovenia and Croatia. While this was only one of the several short-lived Napoleonic experiments (e.g., the Batavian Republic and the Grand Duchy of Warsaw), it was the first self-governing experience for the Slovenes in modern history, and is therefore given a special place in Slovenian history.

The typical greenery of Slovenia
Next, I departed for Lake Bled. The lake, nestled in the beautiful Julian Alps, is the prime tourist resort in Slovenia. The journey there (by bus - there are many everyday) was a treat. Alters devoted to the Virgin Mary (perhaps remnants of an ancient pagan practice ?) and tall wooden racks called kozolci dotted the beautiful green countryside, with snow-capped mountains in the background.

In front of a pletna with Bled Castle behind
Bled looks like typical Swiss resort, except that prices were a lot lower and it's crowded with Austrian, German and Italian tourists. Interesting sights include Bled Island (and its little church) in the middle of the lake, and the Bled Castle, located on a cliff looking over the lake. Taking the pletna, the local version of gondola, was a most relaxing experience and the only way to visit Bled Island.

Serene Lake Bled ; Mt Triglav

I was tempted to visit the wild Lake Bohinj (& Slovenia's highest peak, Mt Triglav) nearby and hike in the mountains but being a city person and a little bored with this beautiful but quite liveless lake (forgive me - just a personal feeling at that time), as well as frustrated by the unfriendly (perhaps even mildly racist, or maybe her day was bad - but which in any case, had made me felt very unwelcomed) lady at the Bled Youth Hostel, I decided to move on to Zagreb.

Links to Slovenia

My exciting half day in Zagreb, Croatia

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